“We don’t want to replace the APC or the present administration with someone who would take us back again. So, if the candidates and the party agree that this is a person we should back, of course, that’s what is expected of me,” Duke added.
By TheInvestigator
The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) presidential candidate, Donald Duke, has said he is willing to step aside and support another opposition candidate in the 2027 presidential election if the opposition reaches a consensus on who to challenge President Bola Tinubu.
Duke said he would respect a democratic decision by opposition parties to rally behind a single candidate, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar or former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, provided the choice emerged from a collective agreement.
The former Cross River State governor spoke on Tuesday in Abuja during the unveiling of his running mate, Malam Sule Mohammed, and the PRP manifesto.
Responding to questions about whether he would withdraw his ambition in favour of a stronger opposition candidate, Duke said coalition-building should focus on establishing a common vision for Nigeria rather than merely negotiating political positions or selecting a presidential flagbearer.
“A coalition is not just about picking a presidential candidate. That’s the mistake we’re all making. It’s about us coming together to agree on where we would like to take our nation to,” he said.
Duke added that he would accept the outcome of a democratic process, regardless of who emerged as the coalition’s preferred candidate.
“If the group, and so far there are quite a number of us, comes up with an agreement that this is the best person to lead the coalition, you can’t say you’re a Democrat and not be subject to the rules of democracy,” he said.
He, however, warned that opposition parties must avoid replacing the APC-led administration with another government that would repeat the same failures.
“We don’t want to replace the APC or the present administration with someone who would take us back again. So, if the candidates and the party agree that this is a person we should back, of course, that’s what is expected of me,” Duke added.
The PRP presidential candidate also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of enjoying an overwhelming advantage in campaign visibility, alleging that opposition parties were being frustrated in their efforts to secure advertising spaces and venues for political activities.
He said opposition campaign materials were largely absent from major cities, where APC billboards and posters dominated public spaces. Duke also alleged that advertising costs in some states had risen to as much as ₦1 billion, making nationwide visibility increasingly difficult for opposition parties.
According to him, the PRP repeatedly postponed its retreat because it struggled to secure venues.
“We had to postpone this retreat several times because we were deprived of venues. Sometimes, they’ll tell you, ‘Oh, the date has been booked. Go to other venues,’” he said.
Meanwhile, PRP National Chairman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said the party was exploring options for greater opposition unity but ruled out dissolving its political structure into another party.
Baba-Ahmed said the PRP was willing to support one or more opposition candidates capable of defeating the APC in 2027, insisting that participation in the emerging coalition would not mean surrendering the party’s identity.
“The best we can do is to improve our unity by supporting one or two candidates to defeat this APC that has not been defeated in 2027. But discussion around collapsing the PRP to join another party now is not against the law,” he said.
He added that the party was considering different strategies within the emerging opposition coalition, which he described as an opportunity to build a stronger political front.
Baba-Ahmed also expressed confidence that the opposition could defeat the APC through negotiations, strategic cooperation and a shared political agenda.
He said the coalition would prioritise issues affecting women, young people and communities facing insecurity, while promoting a country where citizens would not be disadvantaged or threatened because of their religion or geographical location.
Declaring that the PRP was entering the 2027 election with a determination to win rather than merely participate, Baba-Ahmed said the party believed Nigerians would make a decisive choice at the polls.
“We have faith that Nigerians will choose wisely in 2027, and disappoint those who think we are cheap and disposable. We are ready to be part of the change we all need. Nigeria must survive 2027. We are not in the race for leadership in 2027 just to make up the numbers. We are in this contest to win,” he said.
